Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram unveils new ‘Glider’, a rapid transport vehicle that he hopes will be carrying passengers to Liverpool Airport and football stadiums by 2028. Tony McDonough reports
It looks like a tram but operates more like a bus and the new ‘Glider’ vehicle could be in operation on Liverpool city region roads by 2028.
On Monday Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram unveiled the Glider, a rapid transport vehicle, which he hopes will eventually ferry people to and from Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Liverpool and Everton FC’s football stadiums.
Already in service in Belfast, the Gliders are 18 metres long and can carry 30% more passengers than an average double decker bus. It also has three sets of double doors, allowing people to board and alight much more quickly, reducing the time spent at stops.
Belfast operates 34 gliders, which were introduced in 2018, and claims it has replaced more than 2.5m car trips whilst cutting journey times by up to 25%.
Painted in Liverpool city region colours the Liverpool Glider is on loan from Translink in Northern Ireland and will now be taken on a tour of Merseyside so that the public can take a closer look.
Services could also eventually be rolled out to other parts of the city region currently not served by the rail network – including one serving the Wirral Waters development.
Mr Rotheram said: “Millions of people pass through John Lennon Airport, many of them on their way to Anfield and, in future, to Bramley Moore. But one of the things people always tell me is that they need better links to these important places.
“As part of my plans to build a London-style transport system, that is something I am committed to addressing.
“I was just re-elected on a promise to look at delivering a ‘glider’ style rapid link that will make getting to the airport and the football much faster, more efficient and, above all, a more pleasant travelling experience.
“This is the first time the glider will be seen on our streets – but I’ll make sure they’re up and running serving passengers in time for the Euros in 2028.”
Bus rapid transit systems can provide fast, direct and reliable services which can be rolled out more quickly and at lower cost than new rail or tram networks.
Similar schemes operate in dozens of cities around the world including Barcelona, Toronto and Los Angeles, with others planned for Porto in Portugal, and Brisbane in Australia.
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During its visit, the vehicle will be tested on key routes in the city region, allowing the Combined Authority to see if changes need to be made to accommodate the vehicles.
The findings will be used to finalise plans for the new link, with details of proposed routes and infrastructure to follow in the coming months. Roadshow events are being held at the below locations on the following dates:
- Monday, August 19 – Anfield Stadium 8am to 11.30am, Liverpool John Lennon Airport 12:30pm to 3pm
- Tuesday, August 20 – Seacombe Ferry Terminal – 9am to 3pm
- Wednesday, August 21 – Mann Island – 9am to 3pm
- Thursday, August 22 – St Helens Town Centre – 9am to 3pm
- Friday, August 23 – Green Oaks Shopping Centre, Widnes – 9am to 3pm